Connecticut
Working families in Connecticut need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in Connecticut. But too many working families in Connecticut are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Connecticut economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 221K children ages 5 and under in Connecticut – 71% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in Connecticut is around $18,000.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 10% of eligible families in Connecticut. (This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.)
On average, child care providers in Connecticut earn just $34,340 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
Connecticut’s economy loses $1.5B annually due to child care challenges
Connecticut: In The Headlines
More than half of parents with young children in Connecticut struggle affording basic needs, according to new study
Fox 61 | September 19, 2025
Parkerson says child care was one of the most significant concerns that parents have, with many being forced to work part-time or not at all to care for their children, and slashing their household income.
Finding child care in Connecticut is like ‘the wild, wild West,’ some say
CT Insider | September 9, 2025
For many Connecticut families, child care has become less and less affordable and accessible.
Opinion: Child care is essential infrastructure
CT Mirror | January 20, 2026
Child care is not a discretionary service — it is essential infrastructure, as critical to family and economic stability as housing or transportation.
Connecticut Resources & News
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